Difference between revisions of "Author-date system of referencing"
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The '''author-date system''' is an alternative way of referring to the [[Harvard referencing|Harvard system]] of [[academic referencing]]. It seems a better name, for two reasons. | The '''author-date system''' is an alternative way of referring to the [[Harvard referencing|Harvard system]] of [[academic referencing]]. It seems a better name, for two reasons. | ||
| − | First, it is more logical. The name '''author-date''' points to one of the distinguishing features of this way for academics to refer to their sources. It is designed to interrupt a paper as little as possible, and aims to limit the information to two words in the first instance: the name of the '''author''', and the '''date''' of publication of the source being cited. | + | First, it is more logical. The name '''author-date''' points to one of the distinguishing features of this way for academics to refer to their sources. It is designed to interrupt a paper as little as possible, and aims to limit the information to two words in the first instance: the name of the '''author''', and the '''date''' of publication of the source being cited. (For more detail on how to put a reference in the <u>text</u> of your writing, click [[Author-date in your text]].) The two words (the '''author's''' surname and the '''date''' of publication)point to a '''List of References''' at the end of the paper or book being written. The '''Reference List''' gives all the [[Bibliographic detail|bibliographical information]] needed for the reader to track down the source being used, whether to check it or to find further information. For more detail, go to [[Author-date list of references]]. |
The second reason for preferring the name '''author-date system''' is that Harvard University (in the United States) does not universally recognise this name. See [[Harvard referencing]] for more. | The second reason for preferring the name '''author-date system''' is that Harvard University (in the United States) does not universally recognise this name. See [[Harvard referencing]] for more. | ||
[[category:referencing]] [[category:Academic culture]] [[category:Academic English]] | [[category:referencing]] [[category:Academic culture]] [[category:Academic English]] | ||
Revision as of 17:38, 27 February 2007
The author-date system is an alternative way of referring to the Harvard system of academic referencing. It seems a better name, for two reasons.
First, it is more logical. The name author-date points to one of the distinguishing features of this way for academics to refer to their sources. It is designed to interrupt a paper as little as possible, and aims to limit the information to two words in the first instance: the name of the author, and the date of publication of the source being cited. (For more detail on how to put a reference in the text of your writing, click Author-date in your text.) The two words (the author's surname and the date of publication)point to a List of References at the end of the paper or book being written. The Reference List gives all the bibliographical information needed for the reader to track down the source being used, whether to check it or to find further information. For more detail, go to Author-date list of references.
The second reason for preferring the name author-date system is that Harvard University (in the United States) does not universally recognise this name. See Harvard referencing for more.
